molan Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 My band has had a couple of requests to play a 'quieter' set prior to our main set at larger function gigs. First thought was that we'd have a go at a selection of slower soul songs (main set is predominantly classic soul and disco). May not go totally unplugged but would definately try to use acoustic guitar and focus on our sax player more. We have both male and female vocals so can cover a fair range of material. To be honest I have a feeling this is likely to be very much in the background so won't be looking for big vocal masterclass kind of stuff. Anyway - if anyone has any thoughts about whether this might work as an idea and/or some song suggestions would be much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosh Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 [quote name='molan' post='777192' date='Mar 17 2010, 11:51 AM']My band has had a couple of requests to play a 'quieter' set prior to our main set at larger function gigs. First thought was that we'd have a go at a selection of slower soul songs (main set is predominantly classic soul and disco). May not go totally unplugged but would definately try to use acoustic guitar and focus on our sax player more. We have both male and female vocals so can cover a fair range of material. To be honest I have a feeling this is likely to be very much in the background so won't be looking for big vocal masterclass kind of stuff. Anyway - if anyone has any thoughts about whether this might work as an idea and/or some song suggestions would be much appreciated [/quote] It sounds like a fantastic idea. Dusty Springfield -- Spooky would be quite cool like that (sorry that's what I was listening to earlier) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 (edited) These? Edited March 17, 2010 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 How about these? Son of a Preacherman - Dusty Springfield Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight Lets Stay Together - Al Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 Brilliant thanks for these guys I'm trying to avoid the lure of 'lounge jazz' at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 You could do a "slow & smoky" sax-led version of Dixie Chicken ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddy Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Not soul,,, however ,,,we used to do a stripped out acoustic version of "message in a bottle" which used to go a storm.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Try and find an album by 'The Reel and Soul Association'. Was a project involving acoustic-y versions of soul standards. Songs which may work - Ain't no sunshine Move on up Warm and tender love Harvest for the world When something is wrong with my baby Lean on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Don't think I'm mad but search for Go West's version of Tracks of my Tears - we used to do it and it always went down a storm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 [quote name='Toddy' post='777300' date='Mar 17 2010, 12:53 PM']Not soul,,, however ,,,we used to do a stripped out acoustic version of "message in a bottle" which used to go a storm.. [/quote] When I was little I thought The Police were German, mostly because of "Anozer lonely day...". Maybe the blonde hair had something to do with it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 [quote name='Rosh' post='777195' date='Mar 17 2010, 11:53 AM']It sounds like a fantastic idea. Dusty Springfield -- Spooky would be quite cool like that (sorry that's what I was listening to earlier)[/quote] Spooky - I was going to say that but use Martha Reeves and the Vandellas as an example! I'll never fall in love Bacharach Oasis used to do 'This guy's in love' by Big Burt too. Careless Whisper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endorka Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 [quote name='molan' post='777192' date='Mar 17 2010, 11:51 AM']My band has had a couple of requests to play a 'quieter' set prior to our main set at larger function gigs.[/quote] It's a great idea, and I can tell you that it definitely works! Would this be for playing during a meal and/or cocktails, or similar, where people will be talking to each other? If so, my considerable experience with this kind of gig is that the 'quieter' requirement should be taken really seriously. If you ruin anyone's conversation, even at the table right next to the band, they'll be unhappy. The key thing to watch out for is people leaning across the table or into each other to talk - if they are doing this then you are too loud. [quote]May not go totally unplugged but would definately try to use acoustic guitar and focus on our sax player more.[/quote] Again I urge caution - be wary of the "we're acoustic even though we are playing acoustic guitars into our 10kW PA" thing :-) You also definitely want to leave some dynamic range for when you play at the function later. Even unamplified, it is perfectly possible for unplugged acoustic guitar and saxophone (especially saxophone) to ruin conversations. Unless you are in a very large room, there should be no need to amplify the sax. Almost without exception, drums should be played with brushes. You can often get away with unamplified double bass, but acoustic bass guitar might (or might not) need some assistance. The problem is that if you amplify the acoustic bass guitar, everyone else wants amplified too... For this reason I almost always have the band go totally acoustic. Unless you are *really* disciplined with the sound, it *will* be too loud. It only takes one person to start the escalation in the volume arms race. [quote]We have both male and female vocals so can cover a fair range of material. To be honest I have a feeling this is likely to be very much in the background so won't be looking for big vocal masterclass kind of stuff.[/quote] Quite - indeed, I have found that some vocalists aren't appropriate for this kind of gig for several reasons. First of all is that many are too "needy" in terms of demanding audience attention, even subconsciously. It is far harder for a vocal to blend into the background than an instrument; by its very nature, a vocal often demands attention. Some singers can blend into the background, some cannot. It's not a fault as such, just the nature of the beast. Some songs are also "needy" - Georgia is one that springs to mind, for example. You're not really there to attract audience attention, just provide some ambience. Second, there will often be little or no applause or audience reaction during your performance of background music. This can really put off or wind up some musicians, especially singers, presumably since they are so used to fronting the band and directly receiving this kind of response. Not all musicians can perform well in the face of what they perceive as audience indifference. The good news is that it is not usually indifference, however. Your job is essentially that of a posh stereo, and if you do it well you'll often get a small crowd gathered round listening, and some people talk to you after the gig telling you how much they liked it. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Wise words of experience from Jennifer.. +1 Bacharach and David song book Paul Simon song book My suggestions Georgia on my mind and Rainy Night in Georgia This is some Disco website's top "first dance" tunes but they will all work for the background stuff: Don't Wanna Miss A Thing by Aerosmith Everything I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams Amazed by Lonestar You're Still The One by Shania Twain From This Moment by Shania Twain Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison You're Beautiful by James Blunt Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden Angels by Robbie Williams I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston I'm Yours by Jasom Mraz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 This is exactly the sort of thing my main band does. [url="http://www.myspace.com/redlemonsound"]www.myspace.com/redlemonsound[/url] Technically, we've a jazzy/bluesy soul vibe as opposed to a full on soul band, but the proper soul numbers we do are: Georgia Feelin' good Change is gonna come Let's stay together Baby just cares for me Higher and higer Plus some others that I can't remember off the top of my head.... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Cry me a river would be a good one to do too as it's all over the radio right now Elton John's slow/quiet/ballad things like Your song, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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